Why The Comcast Internet Plus TV Packages May Not Be The Best Deal For Cord Cutters

Comcast has been heavily pushing their Internet Plus Plan which offers Cord Cutters some TV channels with their Internet packages. It is suspected that Comcast does this to help keep their subscriber numbers artificially high.

So, we took the time to look at 3 different plans Comcast offers: all with 50Mbps down internet. We also took the time to break down the total cost over 24 months, the new normal contract for many providers, including Comcast. In the end we want to answer the question if it is cheaper to get a cable TV package or to get a Roku / Fire TV and stream your shows. Especially when services like Sling TV start at just $20 a month and give you some of the most popular channels on cable TV with out a contract.

Digital Starter & Performance Internet

This sounds like a really great deal at first: 140 channels of TV with 50 down internet. That is until you notice a 24 month agreement is required, and the $69.99 price is only good for the first 12 months. After that the price jumps to $99.99 a month; bringing the total cost of the package, before taxes and other fees, to $2,039.76 for the two year contact.

That means if you buy this package your average monthly bill, over the 24 month contract, will be $84.99. That is before we look at adding a DVR charge.

Here are the full details of the plan:

Internet Plus With 10+ Local Channels

Again, this sounds like a great deal with HBO, local channels, 50 Mbps, and HBO all for $44.99. The thing to remember here is that local channels are free, over the air, for most Americans. Why should a Cord Cutter pay for local channels they can get for free? (Yes, I know not all, I live in a local with bad OTA.)

After the first year, the package goes up to $69.95 a month; bringing the total cost for two years to $1,379.28. The average monthly cost for this plan is $57.47 a month.

You can read the full details of this plan here:

Performance Internet

Here is a true Internet Only package from Comcast. At only $39.99, with a one year contract, it is the cheapest option. After your 12 months contract ends, the plan changes to $59.99 a month; bringing the total cost of two years of an Internet Only package with Comcast to $1,199.76 or $49.99 a month, on average, over 24 months.

Here are the full details of this plan:

Conclusion

The Internet Only plans may not seem like a great deal at first; when for only $5 more a month you could get HBO and local stations. However, the real savings come in the long term cost and what content library you get for your money.

There are even bigger savings if you only want HBO for one show. For example: if you are paying for HBO just to watch one show, like Game of Thrones, or even two shows, its best to skip the Internet Plus plan and buy them on Amazon. (I will confess, not that long ago I paid for Showtime just to watch Dexter.)

Going with Internet Only package will save you $179.52 over a 24 month period. That is enough money to pay for a full year of Netflix, and still buy two seasons of Game of Thrones on Amazon Instant.

You could also purchase an Amazon Prime membership, with a huge library of free HBO shows, and have $80.52 left to buy new seasons of HBO shows.

Or, if you do not care about HBO, you could save enough to pay for a full year of Netflix, and have $71.64 to buy an antenna to get local TV stations in great HD. Or, you could buy a year of Netflix, and a year of Amazon Prime, for only $27.36 extra; offering you a huge library of movies and TV shows compared to the more limited content from the stations Comcast will offer you.
Now, if having a HBO Go subscription is important to you, I suggest waiting a few months for the new HBO plans that will be sold directly to Cord Cutters. We do not know the price yet, but we do know HBO does not have the same reputation for raising rates as does Comcast.

Lastly, if you want to have Amazon Prime and Netflix, no matter what internet/TV package you buy, here is the breakdown cost on average over 24 months.

Internet Plus: $74.71 a month, or $1,793.04 over 24 months.

Performance Internet: $67.23 a month, or $1,613.52 over 24 months.

So in the end, it is cheaper to get the Internet Only option. You also get a larger library of content at a lower price, compared to the cost of an Internet Plus package.

I highly recommend getting a Roku 3 or a Fire TV and streaming your content over paying a cable provider for TV.

Also make sure to check out Sling TV at just $20 a month with no contract you get some of best cable channels on TV.

Addressing the very low plans offered to keep current customers not listed on their site.

Comcast has been offering very cheap plans for TV and internet, often cheaper than internet only. Sadly, Comcast does not list these plans on their website, so we cannot break them down in detail. Often these plans are only offered as a last ditch effort to keep someone from canceling. We also hear that the rate they give you on the phone is sometimes only good for 6 months, and after that the rate skyrockets. Here is an example from Comcasts own customer forums.

So, if you sign up for one of these deals, make sure to ask how long the price is locked in for. We cannot confirm the details of these packages, as they are not posted online. All we can show you is what Comcast customers are saying.

The prices shown are for packages offered in Missouri. Comcast does adjust their prices for different markets. The general concept will be the same; as the prices appear to adjust evenly across all plans. These prices and plans are current as of November 15 2014. You can view the different Comcast plans on their website here: http://www.comcast.com/cable-internet-packages.html

Disclaimer

Make sure to do your own research before you buy a plan. All ISPs change their plans on a sometimes daily basis. Make sure you look in-depth into what they are offering you; and what the competition offers before agreeing to any contracts. In the end, do what is right for you and your family.

27 Responses to Why The Comcast Internet Plus TV Packages May Not Be The Best Deal For Cord Cutters

Comcast is evil. We got our $150 a month cable and internet package down to $90 by buying our own modem/router, returning the dvr box and getting standard, not high definition. We wanted to cut the cord but our only other local option is AT&T and we don’t have a phone outlet in our condo. Comcast was going to charge $70 for just internet after the introductory rate, which is freaking outrageous, and by the time we add Netflix and whatever else to it, we’re back to nearly $90. I wish I had money to invest because I would sell Comcast stock short. I’m gleefully looking forward to its demise.

One more thing. I suppose we could get a slightly better deal if we called up to cancel every six months, but the idea of begging for a lower rate on a whole bunch of channels I loathe just to get the few I like is degrading and reflects poorly on Comcast as a whole.

Cut the cord back in April 2014. Installed an antenna in the attic and also had one installed on the roof to get additional channels. We get about 40 HD OTA channels. Also subscribed to both Amazon Prime and Netflix.

Our internet service is with Clear Communications, now owned by Sprint. We pay about $35 per month. The modem was free and the signal is over a 4G network with the tower less than a mile from our house.

I went the Clear route and loved it. But now sprint is closing the clear service down so they can use those wireless frequencies for their cell phone coverage. I would happily give Sprint the same money for internet through their company but they do not offer it for home use (mobile hotspot rates would be outrageous for home use).

So now I’m stuck with no other internet provider where I live other than Comcast. I don’t understand how the USA filed antitrust suits against Microsoft for bundling a free browser in their Operating system is less of an abuse than Comcast forcing their outdated and poorly functioning cable boxes on subscribers, forcing 2 year contracts with huge price hikes on the second year, prioritizing their On Demand programming over Netflix on their networds, forcing your to buy Tv bundles so if I want ESPN i need to buy like 30 other channels in a premium package when 99% of what I watch is available free via HD antennea (i.e. everything but ESPN), etc. And its completely rediculous that the moment Google builds out Fiber is KC and Austin, that AT&Tfollows suit in those exact same locations (actually there are more than that were they are matching buildout). As if there are not 100’s of other cities with plenty of paying customers waiting for a good internet option that they couldn’t build out instead of just trying to attack Google’s expansion. Maybe there is some business game theory explanation for that, but it doesn’t help any of us stuck with spotty comcast at $70 – 80 a month with not TV or phone. Last time I had Comcast I was even talked into a phone because it was cheaper than without it, until the install guy shows up and says I need to rent special more expensive modem to use the home phone service that I do not even want, and then I get tons of telemarkers on this line I never used.

I can’t wait for this country to wake up and realize that 3 or 4 ISPs carving up territory and refusing to compete is just as bad as 1 company for the whole country. When are we going to get United States v. Comcast Corporation. Just like we got United States v. AT&T and United States v. Microsoft Corp.

Comcast /xfinity internet was costing us 76 (all in) for blast. We moved upon reconnecting they offered us tv and HBO for 78 a month. I told them I dont want the cable box as not to pay the monthly fee.Eventually aftter a half hour they waved the rental fee.Now 73.

We do this yearly for 4 years now takes about 40 minutes of my life each time. They know and I know they’re giving me my deal. I consider it haggling for my deal.

These plans are old. Comcast new scheme is the internet only plan costs MORE than if you bundle both internet and cable TV together. I called and asked them how the hell does that make sense, They are de-facto forcing people to have cable TV and internet bundle by making it cheaper.

My 1 year promotion on Blast just expired and my internet only cost jumped to $78 per month. Since I’m using an old router that only gives me about 25mbps anyway, I called to switch to performance. I was told that Performance would cost me $66 per month whereas the internet plus plan would be $54 per month for 12 months with no set contract. I bit the bullet and got the tv plan, which comes with HBO Go, but I’m not going to rent any boxes or anything because I already have an antenna installed.

We are preparing to cut the cable and voice from our triple play package. We bought an Ooma for phone service. Our phone bill is now $3.83 a month. Our Triple Play package went up to $176.00. We will be buying our own modem so as not to rent off of comcast. We will cancel the cable and get a higher internet speed. I’d rather pay more for decent internet than unwatched channels on cable. We have a Roku and Netflix and plan on adding Sling Tv for $20.00 a month. I’m hoping it will save at least $76.00. That’s the plan anyway!

We hope you enjoy being a cord cutter. Tip when we started we kept cable for a month but tried not to use it. Took us about two weeks to find all of our shows across the different services. Don’t get frustrated at the start keep trying.

Well, we did it. Called the cable company and cancelled the cable. We opted for the $78.00 internet at 105 mbps. We added Sling TV. Luckily, some of the channels are ones that we watched all the time, like Travel Channel, HGTV, Food Network and AMC. In addition, we have the Netflix. We dropped the voice and purchased the Ooma (we love it!), bought our own modem and returned all of the equipment to Comcast. With the Sling TV it feels so NORMAL. With the exception of Fox News Channel, we have almost everything we want. As you suggested, we have found other ways to watch shows we don’t otherwise get. I found some of my favorite shows are free to view on their station websites. We don’t regret cutting the cable at all, and it has saved us approx. $75.00!

Welcome to the cord cutting family! On a side note 105 mbps down is a bit over kill for just streaming. We only have 20 down and can run multiple streams at once. You could save even more by down grading especially when the promotional rate ends.

Son and wife and baby (and another on the way) will be moving in with us next month. They have tv”s computers, and tablets. My husband and I are always either on the tv or computer, so we figured, all things considered, we’d better get the faster internet. Could we do ok with the 20? If we could, I’d be glad to downgrade! Oh, and the $78.00 is not a promotional rate. I told the rep we didn’t want to be haggling every few months. She said that was the normal rate.
The only thing that could make the whole setup better is if we could get local channels OTA, but we can get NO reception here even with a good antenna. No cell service either. I guess you can’t win’em all! 🙂

Well, I just did it yesterday. I decided to cancel a 24 months contract after 13 months and had to pay ~90 to cancel. But my “downgrade” to Internet (50 mpps) + local channels (giving up the Voice (which we never really used), DVR boxes (again hardly used) saved us ~150/month! Next is the cable modem for $69 from Amazon and dropping the $10/month rental fee. Like most we really only watched 10 or so channels and the ocassional need for sports programming was not worth the cost.

I did test Sling TV last week and was not impressed. Too many flaws (ESPN not really great in this mode, limited pause capability and just another app to manage). We decided to use Amazon and Netflix which all the family uses both at home and college. I am considering adding Hulu+ to gain access to some other shows.

I took my equipment directly to a Comcast service center. It was easy and painless. The rep was courteous and helpful. No pressure at all.

For us there will be some added cost to upgrade 2 tvs to HDMI (I know lame) and add another Fire TV stick or 2. That means break even is 2-3 months out but my old bill for years has been between 200-275 (with comcast home that I did not factor into the above numbers). My motivating factor was another hike in the modem rental fee and a price increase in the “bundle”. Yes, ultimately I waited too long and chose to keep paying but now it feels great to be out the Comcast cycle of promotions and price increases.

Most Hulu Plus content is available for free with a regular Hulu account. It has device limitations, but with the right set up you can still watch on the tv. Some people use a dedicated computed for the tv and others use Plex. There are a ton of ways to find the right set up.

I am so sick of the games Comcast plays! I’ve been trying to downgrade my service for a month, but they first sold me on a cheaper bundle. when they came out to install, he told me the cabling in my condo complex was too old for the new wiring. Comcast office called a few days later to see why it didn’t get installed and I told him what his installer said. Office guy rejects that, saying he could’ve made it work, and that he’d schedule another appt. for someone to come out. I cancelled the appt as I do have a busy full time job, and decided to go with basic and my Apple TV. Went into the office and the same guy I spoke with before told me he couldn’t do the downgrade in the office that id have to call 1800comcast to get it cheaper than $90. on my way home, I called and she told me he could have done it in the office. If I went with “Internet plus” I’d have to return my dvr, but it would be $90.
Does anyone know if I can get rid of Comcast and just use my Apple TV? I live in a condo, so can’t put an antenna up but would be willing to go before the board to request it to get away from this unfair Comcast monopoly!!!! Thanks for the forum to vent :).

It should also be noted that on the Comcast local TV channels 10+ plan, that is only for standard definition. If you want your local stations in HD (which you can get free over the air) it’s an extra $10 a month (although the salesman I talked to offered it to me for $5). This is true for most of their TV packages, SD not HD.

What I found interesting is that the price quoted to me for the 25 mbps Internet + local channels in SD was $49.99, and the price for standalone 25 mbps internet was also $49.99 (the salesman didn’t mention the $39,99 plan). That means the cable TV channels are essentially free, the same channels you can get over the air for free and in HD, for which they want to charge you an extra $10 a month.

That is the trick they play it maybe cheaper now but only at the start. Over the life of the contract the price jumps up making internet only package cheaper. Always ask for it in writing before you agree to it. Of the. On the phone they forget to mention the price jump before the contract ends.

Comcast recently started with 300 gig data caps in lots of areas as well, and with multiple people using the connection it is real easy to hit that cap in a streaming only household.

They are now testing an “unlimited” data plan for an additional 35 dollars a month, on top of the existing internet cost. For our family that amounts to roughly 60 bucks a month for a year, than 100 bucks a month thereafter.

Comcast it’s a trash company, customer service its trainer to lied because need sell service no help the client and plus this the Main Corp office don’t have education , don’t tell her name and cut the call because they are not customer service representative , phone representative send you to the office and the office to make a call , every month say next month but the only true it’s Comcast left my money and no body care , I wish go to court with this company or the president sue Comcast because I know out side have to many other customer with this problem, no one fix the mistake + plus if you make the complaint about one employee the next one add service in your account and next month more the same. Plz don’t use this company

Why do my parents never listen to me they only listen to what the comcast person said refusing to even hear me out or listen to me. I know what I was talking about as I done research and they havent yet they do not believe me or will even listen to me. I am stuck with 100mb download and 5mb upload and tv pl;us hbo for like $69

Your pricing is way off. We were paying 149.99 a month for internet and t.v. w ith starz. We cut the cord with fire stick 29.9o cyber Monday deal we pay 120.00 a year for prime and bought ota antenna for12.00 off amazon . we get more now first year cost us 20. A month with all cost next year adding netflix will cost us about18 a month plus the 69.99 for internet for a savings of 100.00 a month

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